Thursday 28 February 2013

Book Reviews


We have posted lots of book reviews on the Kitchen Witch blog here in the past, as we continue to review books on a regular basis, and our Tansy specifically reviews books for John Hunt Publishing we have a new blog purely for pagan books...over at

www.rachelspaganbookblog.blogspot.co.uk

Hop on over and 'like', join or subscribe to the book blog to be kept up to date with what books we are reading.


Another new blog written by Tansy, if you like to cook and want ideas for recipes is

www.thecookbookcauldron.blogspot.co.uk


Kitchen Witch Team
x

Tuesday 26 February 2013

Celtic Tree Month of Ash


Celtic Tree Month of Ash

The common ash is a major tree of the lowland forests in much of Europe. It is the third most common tree across Britain and is often the dominant tree in the woods.  It has deep, penetrating roots that sour the soil, making it tricky for other plants to grow beneath it.  The Ash is an important timber tree because it is so tough, strong and flexible. In the past it was used by the Anglo-Saxons for their spears and shield-handles. More recently other uses include tool handles, furniture, sports equipment, walking sticks, tent pegs, oars, gates, wheel rims, and even aircraft wings on the De Havilland Mosquito which flew in World War II.


There are few trees that feature so prominently in the mythologies and folklore of many cultures than that of the Ash Tree.  Probably the most well known Ash tree is the Yggdrasil or World Tree of Norse mythology, this inspiring tree has been revered and honoured for centuries as the connecting path between heaven and earth.  The tree was seen to span the universe: its roots in hell, its branches offering support to the heavens and with Earth at its trunk.  Yggdrasil was the Cosmic Ash upon which Odin hung for nine days until He discovered the runes. It was also the horse of Odin, who like the mare of Muhammad, bore him to the skies for a glimpse of heaven.

In Celtic cosmology in particular it connects the three circles of existence - past, present and future.  In Greek tradition it was said that Zeus created humans from Ash trees. On-Niona was the Gaulish Goddess of the Ash groves. The Irish word for Ash, Nion, was also the word for heaven, Nionon. The Icelandic word Aske meant “blaze of great fire”, Ash being one of the best fire woods (especially when burned green!) as well as leading to the fires of enlightenment. Considered a Solar tree, its wood is used for the Yule Log. Druids carved charms from its wood. Ashen divining rods were cut on Summer Solstice. A Druidic Ash wand decorated with spirals was found on Anglesey.

Medicinal Uses
Flower: Wood Anemone
Diety: Lir, Gwydion, Odin



Ash bark can make an infusion that is a mild laxative and diuretic. The rood bark is the most potent with astringent properties, and was used to treat liver diseases and arthritic rheumatism.  Other uses include reduce fever, treat kidney and urinary infections, expel intestinal parasites, and treating malaria.



Correspondences

Ogham Name : Nuin
Letter : N
Month:19th February – 17th March
Colour : Green
Animals : Snake, snipe
Planet: Neptune
Gemstone: Coral

Sources
British-trees.com
A Druids Herbal – Of Sacred Tree Medicine by Ellen Evert Hopman

Photos by Sunchylde Dryadmoon

Friday 15 February 2013

The Art of Magic - by Catherine Maguire


We are extremely pleased to have a guest blogger today:

The Art of Magic by Catherine Maguire

I learned about Magic from my Grandmother.  Not the magic of old books and ancient spells, but exquisite everyday magic.  The kind that is so subtle you would almost miss it. 

My grandmother was an incredible woman; soft kind eyes with a will of steel.  Long silver hair always neatly rolled in a bun, and an ample bosom to which I always desired to be held.  She was the epitome of the Goddess, before I knew what a Goddess was, and she had magic.

Thirteen children and a husband long dead before my time.  Everyday in a kitchen that smelled of scones, pine wood and carbolic soap, she cast her spells.  There was no cauldron but instead an old Aga cooker on which she daily seemed to create something from thin air.  Her magical prowess extended out beyond her hearth stone into the garden as well.  Tiny cuttings of plants were taken and tenderly cared for and new shrubs and herbs were lovingly grown.    

My grandmother without knowing it was an expert in the subtle art of alchemy.  It was as natural to her as breathing.  An empty larder, a fridge that appeared bare and yet a sumptuous meal always manifested, we were always well fed.

I learned from her about love and the power of intention and how anything is possible when these two energies are combined. 

She knew potions and remedies but her real healing gift was her kindness which was always accompanied by hot sweet tea and a warm scone.

I have my grandmother’s magic, it’s in my bones, my altar as was hers is my kitchen table, this is where I weave my spells.  Love is the secret alchemical ingredient that she gifted to me.  In my home, thanks to my grandmother the Art of Magic is alive and truly well. 


Catherine Maguire is a Shamanic Practitioner, Soul Reader and Author.  Her book Tending to your Inner Garden, A Woman’s Journey Towards Wholeness is available from Amazon.  You can find out more about her and her work at www.catherinemaguire.com

Keep an eye out on the www.rachelspaganbookblog.blogspot.co.uk for a review of Catherine's book in the very near future!

Sunday 10 February 2013

Grimalkyn: The Witch's Cat


Grimalkyn: The Witch's Cat
Power Animals in Traditional Magic
By Martha Gray

There is no middle ground with cats – we either love them or loathe them – but the cat adopted as a power animal represents independence, cunning, dexterity, agility, sensuality, inscrutability and ferocity. And whether the great wild hunter of forests, deserts or grasslands, or an ordinary domestic tabby, they are beautiful creatures. Some would dismiss them as merely killing machines, but we only have to look at the history of their evolution alongside mankind to realise there is nothing on this planet quite like them.


My review

This is a great book for witches wanting to explore using cat power in their workings and it will also appeal to those with an interest in history, folklore and symbolism.  We are taken on a journey through the cat's long history from Egypt and Persia through the witchcraft trails to present day.  It is easy to see why the cat has always had strong links with witchcraft and magic. 

Martha Gray goes into great detail with not only the domestic feline but also the big cats like lions, tigers, and lynx.  Providing the reader with their history, mythology and magical associations.  There are also plenty of practical exercises within the book to help connect with these magical feline energies.

Sunchylde 
xx


Friday 8 February 2013

Snowdrops, Ancient Yew Trees and Magical Meeting places


My husband and I are both members of the National Trust and we were flicking through their “What’s On” magazine today looking for an interesting place to visit.  We discovered that there was a snowdrop spectacular happening this weekend in the meadows surrounding Runnymede in Berkshire.  So we set off without knowing too much about the place other than it was where the Magna Carta  was signed in 1215


When we got there we took the circular walk around Ankerwycke Meadows looking for the snowdrops and an ancient yew tree.  The meadows are beautiful; there are lot of old trees covered in mistletoe and plenty of birds and other wildlife to watch for.

We eventually reached the snowdrops after walking the long way around and the ruins of an old priory.  Just around the corner from the old priory in the middle of a carpet of snowdrops stands a magnificent yew tree.  It’s obviously very old as it is very gnarly and hollow in the middle. 



As we walked around the tree we discovered that it has quite a few visitors as there were offerings of flowers, wreaths, ribbons and pictures left on, in and around the tree. 
 
We stopped for a cup of tea from the flask we had brought with us and I found a sense of peace and love coming from the tree.  This is not the usual feel I get from a yew tree.  I gave the tree a libation of tea which I think it was grateful for as I was greeted with a wonderful woody smell as I sat back down.  We spent a few moments just taken in the peace and quiet.

Wondering just how old the Yew tree is I’ve done a little research and find that this is a very fascinating tree indeed.  It is thought to be around 1,500 to 2,000 years old and has witnessed much in its long life.  It is thought to have been the actual spot where King John signed the Magna Carta and it is also believed to have been under this tree where Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn used to meet in a secret tryst. 

It is by no accident that Runnymede has become known as special meeting place as it was used as such long before the signing of the Magna Carta.  In Saxon times it was known as Rune-Mede, (meadow of the Runes) a place of council where runes would have been consulted and runes, at the time, had deep association with yew trees.

So pleased we stumbled across the magnificent tree today.

Sunchylde Dryadmoon 

Sources
Woodland Matters
The Woodland Trust

Pictures by Sunchylde Dryadmoon

Thursday 7 February 2013

Amethyst - February's Power Stone

AMETHYST – February’s Power Stone


Typical colour: light slightly-pinkish violet to a deep grape purple

Amethyst’s colour is unique and some would say seductive, but in actuality this gemstone is said to protect it’s wearer against seduction. For many thousands of years this stone has been coveted by royalty secular and ecclesiastical. Moses is said to have described the Amethyst as a symbol of the Spirit of God in the official robes of the High Priest of the Jews. It is a fact that the Russian Empress “Catherine the Great” once sent thousands of miners into the Urals to look for and retrieve Amethyst for her. Because of it’s ability to put the wearer in a chaste frame of mind and symbolise trust and piety, it held a very prominent position in the ornaments of the Catholic clergy over centuries. It is well known as the stone of Bishops and Cardinals. Many different cultures have exuded it’s miraculous powers to do everything from protect crops against temptests and locusts, bringing good fortune in war and the hunt and driving out evil spirits. It’s even been told that if you wear an amethyst around your neck on a cord made from dog’s hair, it will offer you protection from snakebite. According to the Ancient Greeks, Diana turned a nymph whom Bacchus loved into an Amethyst; hence the term Bacchus stone.

I don’t know so much about all of the above, but I do know that Amethyst is my “go to” stone. When in doubt of what stone to use, I know I can almost always insert Amethyst and it’ll do the job I intend it to do. This is a stone that increases nobility, spiritual awareness, psychic abilities, inner peace and healing, promotes positive transformation, meditation, balance, relieves stress and is good for communication.

The word Amethyst comes from the Greek “Amethystos” which translates to mean “not intoxicated”. It is believed this is a reference to the fact that amethyst offers protection against drunkenness.

The Technical Stuff  

Amethyst is a variety of Quartz. However, this beautiful quartz has posed one or two riddles for Scientists that are still unanswered to this day. The amethyst has a hardness of (7), its moderate refraction and its weight in common with the other quartzes, but the crystal structure is different, and is most unconventional.

Some amethysts appear pale to colourless in daylight. Although the reason for this has not been discovered yet, it is possible to re-colour them by means of radium radiation. Knowing that these stones can loose their colour in sunlight indicates that Amethyst jewellery shouldn’t be worn while Sunbathing, or under prolonged black light. It would also not leave this stone in the Sun to clear and/or charge it.

Amethyst can be found worldwide in such places as:
Brazil and Uruguay – deposits with the greatest economic significance
Amethyst Harbor Canada – ample quantities, though rarely gemstone quality
Germany – Zillertal Alps
Russia – mainly mined during winter in the Urals – know for their brilliance
Sri Lanka
Britain
Mexico
Maine USA – a recent find contained over 1000 kiogrammes of cuttable amethyst
Madagascar – generally red or violet hues found
Uruguay – the most beautiful and deepest colour, but mostly blemished.

Mystical Properties

Amethyst is a very calming, soothing stone or more over a Natural Tranquilizer which aids to relieve stress and strain, sooth irritability, balance mood swings, dispel anger, rage, fear and anxiety. It helps to alleviate sadness and grief and dispels negative energy. As already mentioned, it encourages sobriety, so is an excellent choice to help battle dependency on alcohol or drugs or other addictions. It calms and stimulates the mind, so has the ability to help us become more focused, enhancing memory and getting us motivated. Its serenity enhances higher states of consciousness and meditation. It relieves insomnia and aids in remembering and understanding dreams. It also encourages selflessness and spiritual wisdom. Have a difficult decision to make? Amethyst facilitates the decision making process by bringing in common sense and spiritual insight and moving the decision making process forward.

Healing Properties

Amethyst boosts hormone production, and tunes up the endocrine system and metabolism. It strengthens the immune system, cleanses the blood, relieves physical, emotional and psychological pain or stress and trauma. It’s ability to relieve tension assists in easing headaches. Amethyst is a good choice to help reduce swelling and bruising and to treat injuries. It is useful in treating hearing disorders. It heals diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract, skin conditions, cellular disorders and diseases of the digestive tract. At a very subtle level this stone has the power to balance and connect the physical, mental and emotional bodies and link them to the spiritual.
So by now you understand why it’s my “go to” stone. It is a wonderful healer.

Magical Properties  
Energy: Protective
Element: Air
Powers: Protection, Healing, transforming, Spiritual Awareness

Amethyst is a very powerful and protective stone. It is said to guard against psychic attack, transmuting that energy into love and protecting it’s wearer from all types of harm. It guards against geopathic or electromagnetic stress and ill wishes from others. It activates spiritual awareness, opens intuition and has the ability to enhance psychic abilities, making this an excellent stone for meditation or scrying. Sleeping with Amethyst facilitates out-of-body experiences and brings forth intuitive dreams.

Zodiac Correspondences
Associations: Jupiter

Amethyst is the traditional birthstone of the month of February. It is the stone of Virgo, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces

Chakra Correspondence

Amethyst is typically associated to the Crown Chakra, but is also closely associated to the Third Eye Chakra. It has the ability to open the Crown Chakra to allow a deeper spiritual awareness and enhanced intuition. Stimulates Third Eye.

xx
Tintagel Moon


The information here is presented to you to use as you see fit, but is never to take the place of professional medial advice. Crystals, Gemstones and Metal can accent, help, negate, protect, encourage, strengthen and balance thereby promoting healing. Their effects can be extraordinary, but use in addition to medical advice, and not as a substitute for traditional care. If you are ill, I urge you to seek professional medical attention from a qualified physician. Crystal Therapy is a wonderful adjunct to traditional Western medicine, but always seek out a certified Crystal Therapist for treatments.


Wednesday 6 February 2013

The Chakras Made Easy



The Chakras Made Easy
By Hilary H Carter

Fabulous little book – the title says it all.   The book deals with each chakra individually covering all the information you need to know about where it is and what it does, then it shows you how to find out if it is not working properly and how to balance it, what to do to rectify any problems and gives you exercises and affirmations for each one.  Also included are a set of case histories that are really helpful.  It finishes up with a Q&A section to cover any commonly asked queries.

A very useful and informative book.



Tansy/Rachel

Tuesday 5 February 2013

Let’s Talk About Rites of Passage, Deity and the Afterlife


Let’s Talk About
Rites of Passage, Deity and the Afterlife
by Siusaidh Ceanadach


Another absolutely wonderful book in Siusaidh Ceanadach’s Let’s Talk About series. 
Rites of Passage, Deity and the Afterlife covers exactly what the title says but it does so in a friendly and easy to understand fashion,  covering the main pantheons of deity, all the rites of passage such as handfasting and passing along with a wonderfully written section on the afterlife.

Each individual section has a beautiful story to be read by you or by your child to help them understand.

These books are an absolute must for anyone with children that want to learn about Paganism.

Published by Moon Books to be published in March.

For details on all the books in the series take a look at http://www.ceanadachbooks.com/

Tansy/Rachel

Monday 4 February 2013

Shaman Pathways - Aubry's Dog

Shaman Pathways - Aubry's Dog: 
Power Animals In Traditional Witchcraft

The term 'power animal' was introduced into contemporary language in 1980 by anthropologist Michael Harner in his classic work The Way of the Shaman, and refers to a broad-based animistic and shamanic concept that has entered the English language from the fields of anthropology, ethnography and sociology. The animal is conceived as a tutelary spirit that helps or protects individuals, lineages, and nations. Dogs and man became companions a long time ago, and the dog adopted as a power animal represents speed, agility, courage, protection, justice, nobility and loyalty. Aubry's Dog: Power Animals in Traditional Witchcraft guides your footsteps on this most ancient of paths ...

Mélusine Draco has been a magical and spiritual instructor, as well as author of numerous popular books on traditional witchcraft and ritual magic for over 20 years. 

Her Traditional Witchcraft series, The Dictionary of Mystery & Magic and By Spellbook & Candle are also published by Moon Books

My review:
. 

Another wonderful Shaman Pathways book by Melusine Draco.   Packed full of information about man’s best friend it covers the history of the dog, all sorts of associated herbs, using dog medicine in spell workings and creating amulets and talismans.  Lots of charms and folklore is included too along with very interesting healing information.  I also loved the section on shape shifting.  Very interesting for anyone interested in utilising the power of dog energy.

Tansy/Rachel